The new man is the reverse of all this; he humbles himself, as a sinner, at the foot of the cross, under a deep sense of his own guilt and the divine mercy; desirous only to be reconciled and saved; he constantly studies the mysteries God’s word, with a submissive understanding and an obedient heart; he rests his only hope on the merit of a Redeemer, whose promises and whose law he receives with all his mind and soul and strength; he prays “without ceasing” for the Holy Spirit, is directed by His teaching, supported by His power, and comforted by His heavenly illumination. Doubtless he must live _in_ the world, and _by_ the world, as well as other people; but he does not live _for_ the world; his heart is not there, his delight is not there; he is a redeemed pilgrim, journeying in a far country, returning to his Father’s house; and his heart is musing on the “many mansions” there, and full of the inspiring influential hope, that one of them is prepared for him. Such holy principles are continually manifested by a determination of purpose, a decisiveness of character, a devoted spirit of uniform obedience to the revealed will of God. As the conscience bears witness, so does the life: “the tree is known by its fruit;” all evil affections are resolutely mortified, all sinful pleasures and pursuits utterly abandoned. The sincere Christian, the new man, has an earnest desire and care upon his soul, to be “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” {226a} For this blessing he daily prays; in this work he daily advances: “loving the Lord God with all his heart,” and “loving his neighbour as himself,” he is of all men the most inclined, as he is assuredly the most bound, to “live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.” {226b}